James Lee Cairns, 75, died from cancer, July 18, 2019, at his home in Cathedral City, CA where he lived for 17 years. He was born in Sedalia, MO on September 09, 1943. At the age of 11, he moved with his family to Torrance, CA where he remained a resident for 46 years.
Jimmy was a baseball fan who pitched a no-hitter when he was 12, playing for Torrance’s American Little League 1956 All-Stars, taking the Area 1 title. Later in life, he coached his son’s Little League teams at Tordondo Little League in Torrance.
He met his wife, Carol, at North High School in Torrance, where they both graduated. Jim played for the basketball team, but he did not play baseball because he was too busy working for a car. Jim was a member of the South Bay Tadders car club.
Jim joined the Compton Fire Department at age 23 where he was a firefighter, Engineer, and at age 30 he was the youngest in the department’s history to be promoted to Captain. Jimmy enjoyed playing handball with the guys at the station and he was a very good player. He retired after 15 years with the department.
He loved many types of music, primarily rock & roll and blues. He liked working in his yard and on handyman projects around his house and for others. Before moving to the desert, he liked riding his bike at the beach.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Palleta Carol (Harris); his parents, Pete Cairns and Dorothy (Coats) Cairns; and his dog, Chester. He is survived by a son, Richard Cairns; daughter, Brandi Cairns; grandson, Eddie Cairns; sister, Kitty (Cairns) Ries; brothers, John Cairns and William “Ed” Cairns; and many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. Jimmy will be honored and celebrated at a memorial service and party at the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge, August 10 at 12:00 pm.
“Have some fun today.” – Jimmy Lee
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